Pick of the Week - Warehouse

I have a thing for dresses, and at times, it probably exceeds my thing for lipsticks.  Dresses are wonderful because they're so versatile.  Depending on how you wear it and what you wear it with, you can transform a simple dress into an evening masterpiece. 

Take this stunning navy dress from Warehouse.  On it's own, this is effortlessly elegant, but add a light Spring scarf and a satchel, and it's the perfect daytime look.   Alternatively, dress with a smart jacket and high heels, and it's a glamorous night on the tiles.

My pick of the week had to be Warehouse.  When it comes to smart, wearable work clothes, this has always been my one stop shop.  It has great variety and you will always find what you're looking for.  The yellow satchel is a must-have, so go on, treat yourselves.

Splendid Summer

If you want a foundation that gives you great protection from the sun, go for Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser.  This must-have bottle is packed with SPF 30, so it's perfect for a suble cover-up.

Maybelline's new Illegal Length masacara is also something you need to try.  With it's long wand, it seperates and lengthens the lashes for a super extended result.

Nars shimmer eyeshadow in Strada is one of my favourites.  This purple with gold undertones glides on amazingly.  Build it up for a evening do, or leave it soft for a casual, day to the beach look.

Worn together, this mighty trio will give you the perfect Summer look.

The 'Simplicity' Look

When out buying make-up, we're often buying things because the colour stands out rather than what it looks against our skin tone, whether we're brave enough to wear it, or weather we even truly like it.  I'm a huge victim of this.  I walk into Space NK and head straight for the brightest colour.

But sometimes beauty lies in the most demure of tones.

Penny Lane Blush, Fathom Eyeshadow

Looking past the glitter and the shimmers, my eyed focussed on Penny Lane cream blush from Nars - a brown neutral tone that would suit any skin colour.  It's a colour you can wear with anything and won't sit in your draw untouched.

I also spotted Fathom eyeshadow.  This soft pink has a dazzle to it, so it's perfect as a base to build up your eye make-up, or worn on it's own for a touch of sophisticated glamour.

These two are definitely worth the money as you'll never be able to part from them.

Pick of the Week - H&M

If you you're planning on going shopping this weekend, your first stop needs to be H&M.  I very much doubt that anyone would miss this from their list of shopping places, but I really want to reinforce just how amazing their current selections are. 

The above are based on soft pastels perfect for Summer, mixed with statement shoes and bag.  I'd say this outfit is perfect for the office - gentle an feminine, but with an edge.

Blitz Party

When I agreed to go to a 1940s themed party, it was said half hearted.  April is ages away, I thought.  I have plenty of time to figure out an outfit.  If all fails, I can always turn up as a time traveller from today gone to experince life during the Second World War.

But with one week to go I started to panic.  Finding clothes from the 1940s is fine.  But how do you find clothes that are befitting to this theme that you can wear again?

Six hours before the party I started my search.  I was anticipating a morning of frantic shopping filled with panic attacks, as well as the occasional anger issue with other equally frantic London shoppers.  However, my first attempt turned out to be the winner. 

It was lucky that my first stop was Topshop, Oxford Street.  It had some amazing clothes, but one look at this white polka dot dress and I knew I was on to something.  Perfect for the Summer, this dress isn't a one trick pony.

Dress: Topshop

Jacket: Topshop

Necklace: Topshop

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Lipstick: Frenched by Benefit

Viva Glam Nicki

If you haven't already got this, get it.  Right now please.  The colour is sensationally amazing and you possibly won't ever find a bright pink quite like this one.  Viva Glam Nicki is your lipstick for April.

It glides on so smoothy and the intensity of the colour makes it last all day. 

And keeping to the theme of bright pink, I just had to mention these trousers from H&M.  I'd say they're best worn with neutral colours.

Black & White top: H&M

Pink Trousers: H&M

Tan shoes: Kurt Geiger

Necklace: Stolen from my mother



Good Friday Eve

I have to say that I actually love shopping under pressure.  The main reason for this is that I know I NEED the clothes and therefore have no reason to feel guilty for the purchases.  Occasions like these happen far too often in my life, mainly because I seem to love to make life harder for myself. 

Yesterday afternoon I decided very abruptly that I'd be staying at my boyfriend's house and go there straight after work.  Great, right?  In my head I envisaged a night in watching a movie with some take-away, then waking up early and strolling into central London. 

But there's a slight problem, and that's lack of clothes for the next day. 

Right, so here's the plan - leave work at five thirty on the dot and park in Guildford town centre.  Luckily it's Thursday so it's late night shopping.  Go to Debenhams and pick out anything.  Seriously, anything!  Oh, and don't forget the underwear.

And that's exactly what I do, expect instead of picking out anything I like no matter what the price tag (because I NEED the clothes, don't I?), I decide to hit the sales and see what I can find. I manage this:

Red mix cardigan: Warehouse

Silk Shirt: Warehouse

Leggings: Topshop

Boots: Clarks

It does however take an hour to park, have to walk to get some change for the ticket machine, then almost get smacked in the face by a woman running, but other than that the whole opertion went smoothly.

Warehouse had some amazing things on sale, and to be honest, it was a really tough choice to make.  But I absolutely love this silk shirt as it's also perfect for work wear, and the cardigan is simply divine.  I must spontaneously decide to stay over at other peoples' house more often!



A Soft Caresse from L'Oreal

As much as it pains me to admit this, I am a complete snob when it comes to lipsticks.  I stick my nose up at anything below £10 and brand it as a complete write-off if there's no MAC branding in site.  But as much as I tried, I couldnt steer my attention away from the new L'Oreal Rouge Caresse lipsticks.  You could have dangled three MAC lipsticks right in front of me and I still would have chosen this.

With the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine range, as well as the multitude of other glossy lipsticks out there, it was about time this fad reached the High Street, and L'Oreal could not have followed the trend any better.

My attention was instantly grabbed by 202 Impulsive Fuchsia.

With a slight hint of a purple, this strong shade is perfect if you want statement lips. 

With a variety of 10 irresistable shades, Rouge Caresse is the ultimate Spring lipstick.



A Farmer's Daughter?

It's not the most fashionable of times when you walk down the stairs and your boyfriend tells you that you look like a farmer's daughter, but I took it as a compliment nonetheless. 

Under the sweltering London sun, I chose to wear this denim dress from Miss Selfridge.  It might not be to everyone's taste, but for me it's amazing.  Casual and comfortable, this dress made my London day rather enjoyable.  What's great is that it works perfectly over a t-shirt or on it's own, but if the weather hasn't evolved into Summer yet, just wear with a long-sleeved top and leggings, and you're ready to go.

Topshop

I wore it with this gorgeous bow detail bag from Topshop.  Available in both pink and blue, this is the ultimate handbag for the Summer. 

T-Shirt: River Island

Dress: Miss Selfridge

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Bag: Topshop